Staff and volunteers at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton are gearing up for their Spring Show and Sale fundraiser happening Saturday, April 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Alexander Mackenzie Secondary School.
Now in its fourth year, the one-day spring edition of the annual Show and Sale will feature 99 arts and crafts vendors as well as food vendors and a dine-in eating area.
“The whole cafeteria is full of food vendors this year with the seating area, something we haven't had in quite a few years,” said executive director Kaylen Burgess.
The agency does not receive any government funding and relies heavily on community events for support. This event is being sponsored by the Carpenters Local 1256.
“We are a United Way funded agency, so that is our only core funding each year,” Burgess said. “Each year, we have five or six fundraisers and have to raise anywhere between $250,000-$300,000… so [these fundraisers] are vital to the success of the programming that we do here in Sarnia and Lambton County.”
Last year alone, the agency served nearly 500 youth in Sarnia and Lambton County through those programs.
“Our waitlist usually sits anywhere between 50-75 kids at any given time, and as many kids as we match, there's just as many coming back on for service,” Burgess explained. “The waitlist never tends to go down because the need is constantly there."
“The Spring Show and Sale is happening right before Mother's Day and Father's Day, so there's a lot of great gifting opportunities for those occasions,” Burgess added. “There's something for everybody at this event; it's a pretty cool variety.”
The Spring Show and Sale event grew out the success of the Fall Show and Sale that just celebrated 50 years, last fall.
“It’s quickly becoming a very profitable fundraiser for the agency,” Burgess explained. “Last year we brought in $40,000. We've upped it just a little bit... our goal is to bring in $45,000 with this event.”
Money raised from the event goes to support all of the matching programs, one-to-one’s and group programs that Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sarnia-Lambton offers.
“[Mentors] provide [youth] with guidance and leadership and support in many different areas as they grow up,” Burgess explained. “Mentors provide that child with opportunities that they might not have otherwise.
“The benefit of having a mentor in your life is without-question…a remarkable experience for both the youth and the mentor.”
To learn more about volunteering as a mentor in any of the programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters Sarnia Lambton visit their website at https://sarnia.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/, email [email protected] or call their office at 519-336-0460.